As Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine enters its second year, Russian forces appear to have regained the initiative, having recently captured several key positions in the eastern Donetsk region.
Nevertheless, this week saw a rare–and surprisingly public–display of infighting between Russia’s top brass and the Wagner Group, a private military company with close ties to the Kremlin.
Led by controversial businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin, the Wagner Group has spearheaded the fighting in Donetsk, especially in and around the town of Bakhmut (Artyomovsk in Russian).
A key transport hub for Ukrainian forces, Bakhmut has remained the scene of fierce fighting for the past several months. …